Being on a sports team during university is a rewarding experience, not only does it give you the opportunity to stay active while in school, but it also gives you the opportunity to make new friends, and teaches skills like time management. The University of Ottawa offers a variety of different sports. At uOttawa sports are separated into Varsity, Varsity-Club, and Competitive Club Sports. Varsity sports are those like basketball, football, and rugby. Sports like synchronized swimming, golf, cheerleading, and dance are given the title Competitive Club sports. A few weeks ago I had the chance to sit down with a couple of the girls from the uOttawa Women’s Golf Team to get an inside look at what competing with them is like.
Fast Facts about the Women’s Golf Team:
Roster: 11 girls total on the team with a competition roster of 4.
Major Wins: Consecutive qualifications for Ontario Provincial Championships.
League: OUA Golf
Competition Season Length: July to November
Interesting Fact: The lower the score the better.
I would like to thank Lauren Middlemiss, and Coralea Kappel for taking time out of their busy schedules to sit down with me.
The girls could not say enough positive things about the team! Being a member of the team provides an amazing opportunity to make friends, both on the field, and off. Not only do you become close with other girls from uOttawa but you also have the opportunity to meet and interact with girls from schools across Ontario. With the girls from the team there is always lots of laughter. As well the team provides a support system for one another. Aside from the social aspects of the team, the sport itself allows the girls an opportunity to de-stress by working on goals outside of the classroom.
Previous golf experience is required if you are interested in trying out for the team. However, don’t let that get you down, if you’re interested in golfing you should check out various locations in Ottawa for how to get started. Very little recruitment is done for the team but if you play in Ottawa you may be spotted by one of the coaches. If you love to golf and would like to try out for the team you should definitely reach out and make yourself known! The girls are incredibly welcoming, because the women’s golf community is so small they’re always happy to have new people join! One of the biggest hurdles upon joining the team is learning the extensive rules of tournament etiquette. Once you’ve mastered this you’re well on your way!
Once you’re on the team training is variable, it’s dependent on what the coaches think is an ideal program of training for the players at the time. On average one can expect about 15 hours a week for training. Practices on the actual golf course can vary, if you’re playing 18 holes it takes about 4 hours, whereas if you’re playing 9 holes it takes about 2 hours. Each athlete is also given a program for training and conditioning. Training focuses on strengthening body parts to improve your overall game. Did you know that strengthening your core can improve your swing?
Playing golf in university is interesting because it involves taking a typically individual sport and placing it in a team atmosphere. While some might assume this would cause issues the girls assure me that in actuality there is an overall positive effect. Being on the team is motivating. Not only do teammates provide guidance about the game, but they’re also there to help one another off the field. Golfers understand golfers, being on the team provides a huge support system.
Fun Facts:
Favourite Food/Drink at Competitions?
Fruit for the first half of the course, salty snacks like chips for the second half.
Favourite Piece of Equipment?
Depends from person to person. Between Lauren and Coralea, the favourite pieces were a pair of gloves with a tinge of pink and embroidered initials on them, as well as a special putter, with a painted head, that had been worked on by the individual.
Favourite Type of Club?
Hybrid
Best Part About Being on a School Team?
It’s part of the quintessential university experience to be on a team or join a club. While sometimes you can feel like a walking billboard wearing your jacket or carrying your equipment, it also instills a sense of pride, both for your sport, and for your team.
Once again, I would like to thank the girls from the University of Ottawa Women’s Golf Team for taking time out of their busy schedules to sit down and chat with me! I wish you all the best in your upcoming season!
Sources: All photos were generously provided by the University of Ottawa Women’s Golf Team.